District Campaigns Heat Up As Nov. 3 Election Nears

October 24, 1992

1st District

Republican nominee Philip L. Steele continued his attacks on Democratic U.S. Rep. Barbara B. Kennelly, criticizing her for voting for a $35,000 congressional pay raise and for automatic cost-of-living allowance increases.

Steele, considered the underdog in the race, said that, if elected, he would accept neither and would call for a repeal of automatic cost-of-living increases.

"At a time when ordinary Americans are getting little or no raise and are too often losing their jobs ... [congressional] pay raises are not only undeserved but outrageous," Steele said.

Steele also criticized Kennelly for supporting a 1991 budget bill that he said called for higher taxes on the middle class.

Kennelly, meanwhile, continued to rack up endorsements, including backing from the National Association of Police Organizations and the International Union of Operating Engineers. Kennelly said the former showed her support of police departments across the nation and the latter her dedication to keeping and developing jobs.

She also was endorsed by the National Treasury Employees Union, which represents 150,000 federal employees nationwide.

And, Kennelly noted that in a mock election at Windsor High School Thursday she defeated Steele 79 percent to 21 percent.

Today, Kennelly planned to take a break from campaigning to attend a traditional Polish wedding reception in New Britain. She played a key role in cutting through red tape so the bride's parents, who live in Poland, could get visas to attend. 2nd District

Democratic U.S. Rep. Sam Gejdenson, who had been ignoring Republican challenger Edward W. Munster, went on the attack against Munster this week.

Wednesday, two days after the National Republican Campaign Committee targeted Gejdenson as vulnerable and sent $30,000 Munster's way, Gejdenson called a telephone press conference to attack Munster's record in the state Senate. Munster, a Haddam resident, represents the 33rd Senate District.

The next day, an advertisement attacking Munster on the same subject began airing on network television throughout the state.

Gejdenson is criticizing Munster's vote in May against a bill to provide a tax rebate for manufacturers in economically distressed communities. The bill passed in the state House 114-30 and in the Senate 30-5, with the no votes all coming from Republicans, including Munster.

The bill provides more than $68,000 to New London; $45,000 to Windham; $80,00 for Norwich; and $40,000 to Mansfield, among 20 economically distressed communities in eastern Connecticut, Gejdenson said. 3rd District

Republican Tom Scott's campaign took to the airwaves last week, buying time on WTNH, Channel 8, and cable stations for a commercial that describes him as a tax fighter who took on politicians in Hartford.

His better-financed opponent, Democratic U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, has been on the air for weeks with commercials touting her efforts in Washington on behalf of middle-class tax relief.

Scott is shown at the tax rally he organized last year at the state Capitol, the largest protest ever at the Capitol, looking toward the building and saying, "I hope you're listening, because the middle class has something to tell you."

As soon as Scott went on the air, DeLauro responded with the first negative commercial of the campaign.

It says that Scott, while a state senator, got free health insurance and was one of only five senators who voted against a bill prohibiting doctors from charging Medicare recipients more than their policies would cover.

Scott's ability to respond to DeLauro on TV depends, in part, on how well he does today at a fund-raiser in Hamden, where U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Jack Kemp is the attraction. 5th District

The three major candidates took part in three debates this week, occasionally sparring over matters concerning their personal finances.

Republican U.S. Rep. Gary A. Franks said that he has the best pro-business record of any member of the state's congressional delegation. Democrat James J. Lawlor said he has experience creating jobs, a reference to his affiliation with the Naugatuck Valley Development Corp. And state Rep. Lynn H. Taborsak, the A Connecticut Party candidate, promised to work for a sustained economic recovery, looking after the interests of both business and workers.

The first debate was held in Taborsak's hometown, Danbury. The other two were in Waterbury, the district's largest city, where Franks and Lawlor live and Lawlor is probate judge.

Franks continued his television-advertising blitz, while Lawlor aired a limited number of TV commercials and Taborsak has stuck with radio spots.

Kemp also planned to appear at a fund-raiser for Franks in Wolcott today. 6th District